USA > Virginia > Clarke County > Clarke County > History of Clarke County, Virginia and its connection with the war between the states > Part 14
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The Nelson Rifles was composed of men from Millwood, White Post and the vicinity of these places. Men of all classes and conditions; the sturdy sons of farmers, mer- chants, laborers from the farms and shops, men from the Blue Ridge, all drawn together by one impulse in de- fense of a common cause, bound together by love of coun- try and in defense of home. With such incentives they were sure to do their duty well and make a name for cour- age and devotion equal to any from the State or the South. Col. T. J. Jackson having taken command at Harper's Fer- ry, every effort of every officer and man was to make this mass of patriotic citizens into an army of soldiers, who were to leave an imperishable fame. No one entered into this work with more enthusiasm and zeal than Captain Nelson and his men. The drilling, the guard duty, the false alarms, the marches were entered into with a set pur- pose to do the best and make the best of themselves. When the 2nd Regiment was ordered to confront Patter- son's advance at Williamsport, Company "C" marched with them and at the camp near Falling Waters received the tents furnished by the County; which alas; in a short time were to fall into the hands of the enemy. When Patterson crossed the river and the brigade under General Jackson went to meet him at Hainesville, the Company had to leave their tents nicely folded for the Yankees to get, as no provision had been made to haul them. Here at Hainesville, Company "C", as did the rest of the bri- gade, first saw the enemy, but that was all, the 5th Va. Regiment and the Rockbridge battery did the fighting.
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But the sound of the guns made them realize that they were near the real thing, and that war meant something more than drilling and dress parade. The marches to and from Winchester, the lines of battle at Bunker Hill and Darkesville, confronting the enemy, the momentary expectation of battle, steadied their nerves and prepared them for what was so soon to come. When the order to move to Manassas came they had to march by their own doors and were only allowed to say a hurried good-bye; they thought war was real, war was earnest, but with true and loyal hearts they accepted the inevitable and did their duty like men. At the crossing of the Shenandoah Mr. Otway McCormick, who lived at the ford, saw that Co. "C", got over dryshod, as he had his hands and horses there to carry them over. The bivouac at Paris, the march to Piedmont, the ride on the cars, brought them at last to Manassas Junction, where Beauregard was wait- ing and hoping for their arrival, as McDowell with his hosts were just ready to spring upon him. The next morning they marched to Blackburn's Ford, thence to the sound of the firing. The Brigade was thrown into line with the 33rd Regiment, to the left of the 2nd, Company "C" being on the extreme left of the 2nd, where it was to have its baptism of fire. Very soon a battery of artil- lery was placed immediately in front of the 33rd, and of the left of the 2nd and opening with shot and shell threatened to do much damage to our line. Seeing this Colonel Cummings of the 33rd Va., ordered that regiment to charge the battery, which they did most gallantly. Not being supported they were soon driven back, back past the left of the 2nd, Va., thus leav- ing their flank unprotected. Very soon the enemy ad- vanced and from flank and front poured in a merciless fire on the gallant companies in the left of the regiment.
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Companies "C" and "G" both lost heavily, but stood their ground and returned the fire until at that critical moment the whole brigade led by General Jackson ad- vanced, captured the batteries, swept every thing before them and turned the tide from an imminent defeat, to a glorious victory. Captain Nelson was wounded by a ball through his chest from which he never recovered and was prevented from active service in the field during the re- mainder of the war, but a man of his ardent nature and zealous patriotism could not be content to do nothing and he sought other service in which he could and did be useful to his country. Others equally true and loyal were killed and wounded. Alexander Parkins, the editor of the Berryville Gazette, one of the most fiery of secession- ists, was wounded and died. Carlyle F. Whiting, Thos. H. B. Randolph, John A. Hibbard, Jacob B. Rutter and Adam Thompson were also wounded.
W. Scott Dishman, E. Grubbs, J. B. Whitten and Ben. F. Wilson, were killed. The loss being seventeen out of fifty-seven. Soon after the battle of Manassas, Lieu- tenant Hay who was a surgeon of ability was made sur- geon of the 33rd Va. Inf., and left the Company. He had been a good and efficient officer and did his part well, taking command of the company after Captain Nelson was wounded and leading it through the remainder of the battle. He served with the brigade for a year or more, and was then put in charge of the Hospitals at Staunton, which he managed with great ability and acquired a great reputation as a skillful surgeon. Lieutenant Ryan being Sheriff of the county never went into active service, but resigned. This left two vacancies in the Commissioned Officers of the Company, which were filled in August, 1861, by the election of David Meade of White Post as 2nd Lieut. and of David Keeler as 3rd Lieutenant, Randolph
WILLIAM HAY
FIRST LIEUTENANT, "NELSON RIFLES" (COMPANY C, SECOND VIRGINIA INFANTRY ) SURGEON IN CHARGE OF HOSPITALS AT STAUNTON. VA.
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having been promoted to the 1st Lieutenant when Dr. Hay resigned, assumed command of the Company and held it in that capacity until April, 1862. Captain Nelson's wound proved of such a serious character that he was un- fitted for infantry service and was not with the Company again, but hoping to return held his commission until the reorganization in 1862 when he declined re-election and was put into another branch of service. A man of his talent and gallantry would have won renown and attained high rank if he could have stayed in the regular service. The company had lost so heavily in the battle of July 21st, that it needed all the skill and good example of Lieut. Randolph to get it into good shape again, but his high moral character and wise leadership soon accomplished the desired end and the company was itself again, ready for any service or danger that might be placed upon them. In the meantime General McClellan, "The Young Na- poleon of the North," had been placed in command of the Federal army. His great forte was organization, so he proceeded to organize and equip an immense army for invasion, and "On to Richmond," became the cry of every one from the President to the private citizen. To meet this vast host our Generals set to work to prepare for it by a thorough drilling and disciplining of their forces. General Jackson although wounded in the recent battle never left his post, but by presence and example inspired his brigade to do all things possible to sustain the high reputation they had acquired at Manassas. None re- sponded nore heartily than the officers and men of Co. "C". The Officers studied tactics and read books on mili- tary affairs and the men rapidly learned the drills. For a week or two after the battle the brigade bivouaced near the battlefield. It was then moved to a camp about a mile east of the village of Centerville upon a level plateau,
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which offered most excellent drill grounds for all the regi- ments. Very few people of the present day have any idea of the life of soldiers in camp and it may be interest- ing to describe it. The men of each Company were di- vided into messes, of from six to ten men, who did their own cooking. A few utensils, such as frying pans, spi- ders which were iron vessels with three legs and a lid for cooking bread in. Kettles to boil meat in and to make soup and when not in use for that purpose to boil clothes in, constituted the culinary outfit. It was wonderful how expert many of the men became. They could make very good biscuits or flat cake and often most excellent rolls. On rare occasions coffee was issued. The usual ration was rice and beans and for meat, bacon and fresh beef. Life in camp was never idle. At five o'clock in the morn- ing "Reveille" was sounded-the whole drum corps of each regiment taking part. You can imagine that when the whole brigade or a division were camped near each other that some noise was made. At the end of the third tune, you could hear all over the camps, the first sergeants calling "Fall in Co. "I" or "C", whatever their company might be. What tumbling out of tents and rushing into line, for the roll was to be called immediately and he who was late or absent was to be put on extra guard duty. What wonderful memories those first sergeants had, they would rattle off names of officers and men without miss- ing one, no matter how large the company and never failed to remember the poor belated ones, or the turn of extra duty. After roll call every one whose duty it was for that day to cook, became busy until breakfast was over. At half-past seven, the call for Company drill was sounded. One of the officers, usually a Lieutenant then drilled the Company in the manual of arms for an hour. This was to teach the men how to handle their guns, how to load
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and fire with precision and coolness, and to care for their weapons, so that they should always be ready for inspec- tion. At nine, guard mounting took place, and the detail from each company and regiment was marched to the guard house (which was often not a house, but an enclos- ure of any kind) and there divided into three reliefs for duty during the following twenty-four hours. At ten the call for Company drill was heard and the companies with all the officers present were taught the different evolutions of the company. How to keep step, to wheel, to form in various ways and assume a number of positions, which might be necessary some day even on the field of battle. At twelve, dinner was cooked and served, if there chanced to be enough for three meals, and there was plenty at first in the camp we are now telling of. At two, the companies were again assembled for Battalion drill. Here the Colonel was in all his glory. There was no better drill officer in the army than our Colonel Allen. For two hours he kept the regiment on the go, from one movement to another until every one was almost worn out. At six dress parade was held. Every one in his best uniform, if he had any best. This was a sight worth seeing. The long lines at open order. The fussy adjutant, the stately Colonel. The band marching and playing from one end to the other. Everything to show the pomp and glory of the occasion and at the end to march to the tune of "Yankee-doodle," double-quick back to quarters, and then to get supper. At nine, tattoo, and half-past taps, were sounded and "lights out," was heard being shouted by the sergeants of the companies, and soon the thousands of gallant men were sleeping the sleep of the tired. All this was necessary to make soldiers of the raw mass of men who composed the army. All were willing enough to fight, but to fight sucessfully, they must be under disci-
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pline, must know how to obey orders, no matter how or when given, whether in the quiet of the camp or the roar of the battlefield. Co. "C" did its part in this school of the soldier and by Fall its officers and men were ready for whatever might come to them in the fortunes of war. Very soon a change was to come, their General now loved and admired for his bearing in the battle was to be taken from them and to go to their beloved Valley. They were present at his parting with the brigade and heard his speech, which meant so much to him and to them. But their sorrow was soon turned into joy, for the brigade was ordered to proceed to Winchester. What joy in all their hearts as they speeded toward the Blue Ridge and from its top could almost see Millwood and White Post and their homes. General Jackson having been made a Ma- jor General, a new man was sent to take command of the brigade-General Garnett, a West Pointer, but a gentle- man, one whom the men soon learned to love. He soon let them know that he looked upon them as men and fel- low soldiers, not machines or dogs to be ordered and kicked around at his fancy. He realized as had General Jackson that his was a citizen soldiery and deserved to be treated as comrades fighting for a common cause. From the camp near Winchester, some of the men of Co. "C" were allowed to go home for a few days and possibly some availed them- selves of the nearness of home to go without permission. But such things were not thought to be so bad in the early days of the war and if the men returned in a short time, they received only a mild reprimand. No doubt the kind hearted Lieutenant Randolph was imposed upon by some, for all knew his gentle disposition and that he felt that his men, being good soldiers and always ready for the fight or march, should have some liberty. 'Twas not in his nature to be a martinet, his men were his comrades and
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friends and his discipline was easy upon all who tried to do their part in times of stress.
The terrible winter campaign to Bath and Romney was borne with cheerfulness by men and officers. Upon the return to Winchester, the commanders of Cos. "C" and "I" sent a detail to Clarke to hunt up some from each company who had over-stayed their time of leave and having recovered from their sickness were slow to return to duty. These were to be seen and told that unless they reported promptly for duty, that they would be reported as deserters. You may be sure that they hurried to re- port as no one wanted that name applied to him. The winter wore away with the usual routine of camp life. More uncomfortably to the men than some in the later days, as they had not learned to build huts for winter quarters, or they could not obtain material for building them. Early in March it became evident that General Jackson would have to fight or leave Winchester. Co. "C" and all the lower Valley soldiers preferred fighting, but our force was too small and on the 10th of March, we left the town and moved up the Valley. The enemy advanced as far as Woodstock and then fell back to Win- chester. General Jackson broke up his camp near Mt. Jackson a few days later and by one of the rapid marches for which he and his men were soon to become famous ad- vanced to Kernstown, three miles from Winchester. Here on the 23rd of March he struck the enemy, inflicting such a blow that, they were forced to give up their plan of re- inforcing General McClelland at Manassas, were compell- ed to return to the valley and follow his movements, which from this time on attracted the attention of the U. S. Government, more even than the movements of McClel- land with his grand army. Co. "C" was in at Kernstown, one of the most hotly contested battles of the war and did
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its part well. Back to Rude's Hill and then to Swift Run Gap, General Jackson took his troops. The time of en- listment of many of the troops having expired, it became necessary to re-organize all such companies and regiments. Most of the men had re-enlisted for three years or the war. In order to fill up the ranks of such companies as had fallen below the standard required by the army regulations, many conscripts from the counties higher up the Valley had been gathered together and were now distributed among the companies needing them. Co. "C" had a large number put into her ranks, but many of them left on the night after they were mustered in and were never seen again. Those who remained became good soldiers and served with loyalty until the end. Some being killed and wounded and otherwise suffering from the vicissi- tudes of war. In the re-organization the company was called on to choose its commissioned officers. Wm. W. Randolph, a private in the company was elected Captain. Lieut. Robert C. Randolph, 1st Lieut., David Meade 2nd Lieut. and David Keeler 3rd, Philip Nelson was made 1st Sergt. and Mord Lewis 2nd. Captain Randolph was a brother of Lieutenant Randolph, who with his usual magnaminity preferred his brother's promotion to his own. A noble pair indeed, admired by all who knew them for their many manly qualities. The Company and the army were now ready for whatever might be before them and General Jackson soon let them know there was to be no play time among his men. McDowell, Winchester, Harper's Ferry, soon followed, Co. "C" taking part in all and being with the 2nd Va., in its famous march from Harper's Ferry to Newtown, forty-two miles without stopping to sleep. The longest march known in history. At Port Republic the company led by her gallant Captain did good service and lost some good men. About this
WM. W. RANDOLPH
CAPTAIN, "NELSON RIFLES" (COMPANY C, SECOND VIRGINIA INFANTRY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL, SECOND VIRGINIA INFANTRY
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time Sergt. Nathaniel Burwell was made Sergt. Major of the Regiment which position he filled with ability and soon endeared himself to the Colonel and his staff. The march to Richmond, where General Jackson threw his forces on the flank of the enemy found Co. "C" in step with the rest of the army. In these fights the Company lost heavily, Lieut. David Keeler was killed, a gallant man and efficient officer. He fell at Cold Harbor during a charge made by the brigade. One incident, an example of gallantry, occurred here, which I will give in the words of Sergt. Mord Lewis who was present and saw and heard all that was done, as well as doing his own part, nobly. In a letter to me he says: "The most noticeable incident of bravery that I recall was at the battle of Cold Harbor, June 27th, 1862. General Jackson had the brigade drawn up in line and told us that he had not intended to put us in the fight, but there was a battery that had annoyed General Lee all day, and that other brigades had failed to take it, he said, "You have done it before, you can do it again, go ahead." We went in charging through a boggy piece of ground, part of the way up to our knees in mud, becoming somewhat scattered, by the time we got over it. Nat Burwell of "Carter Hall" was Sergt. Major of the the regiment at the time. By order of Colonel Botts he lined us up and said "Now men when you charge, remember the girls at home." Just then Colonel Botts said "Come here Burwell, give me your hand, you are a brave fellow." This was done while under a heavy fire. We made the charge and captured the guns. I have heard of this from others, who said that Sergeant Burwell led the charge, jumping his horse over the fences and go- ing ahead of the men until the guns were captured. The compliment paid to him by Colonel Botts was all the more valuable as Colonel Botts did not give his praise unless
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well deserved. This gallant young man, with so much of promise before him, fell badly wounded, two months later at 2nd Manassas and died, and his remains lie with his father in the sacred precincts of "Old Chapel."
Since the re-organization in April of 1862, many changes had taken place in the Company. Besides the heavy losses in killed and wounded, several of her good and true men had joined the cavalry, and the artillery. Ben Trenary, Carlyle Whiting, Warren Smith, Jas. F. Kerfoot, who was made a scout for General Lee and promoted later to Captain. Peter Dearmont, Judson Kerfoot, Mat Royston and others went into the cavalry. Robert Bur- well and his brother, George, and W. T. Wharton joined Stuart's Horse artillery. Robert Burwell was promoted on the battlefield of Sharpsburg for bravery and later was mortally wounded at Brandy Station on the 9th of June, 1863. Geo. Burwell was also promoted to a Lieu- tenancy. W. T. Wharton was made Sergeant and did good service in that branch of the army. N. B. Cooke was transferred to the Clarke Cavalry, Oct. 21st, 1862, and ordered to report to General Stuart's Headquarters, where he remained about a month, when he was elected 2nd Lieut. in Cooper's Battery, which he was command- ing when disabled on Early's Retreat, Oct. 24th, 1864. There were probably others transferred or detailed which materially reduced the ranks of the Company. Lieut. David Meade had also been promoted to Captain in the Quartermaster's Department and Lieutenant Keeler had been killed at Cold Harbor, leaving only two officers present for duty-Captain and Lieutenant Randolph. These vacancies were not filled until the winter of 1863, when Philip W. Nelson and Samuel Grubbs were elected to fill them. After 2nd Manassas and its losses, the Com- pany bore its part in the strenuous Maryland Campaign,
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being at the capture of Harper's Ferry and in the terrible fighting at Sharpsburg. Those who were left were al- lowed a few days at home as the army passed through Clarke on its slow progress up the Valley and then came Fredericksburg and winter quarters at Moss Neck, where the men made themselves comfortable by building log huts. A chapel was built by the brigade, where preach- ing was held. This winter some amusements were gotten up in the form of amateur plays. Holmes Clark, a very gifted young fellow in Co. "C", was a leader in this move- ment.
The opening of the Spring of 1863 found the army and all connected with it ready for the work that our General had in view for them. Every one was in fine spirits and none more so than the gallant officers and men of Co. "C". At Chancellorsville they took part in the great flank move- ment and also in the charge on the enemy's works, led by General Stuart, with the watchword "Remember Jack- son," for our peerless leader had fallen the night before. Here the coolness and bravery of Captain Randolph in- spired his men. He was a very tall man, and as the line advanced seeing some men a little distance from him be- ing shot in the legs, he said to his men: "Boys I believe I will go down there, I might get a furlough." Sometimes the men used to call getting a wound, getting a furlough. His indifference to danger as well as his coolness had the desired effect on his Company and others near him. Among the wounded here, was John Jolliffe, a gallant fellow, who was so disabled as to be unfit for the field, but did good service elsewhere.
Following swiftly on Chancellorsville came the march into Pennsylvania and the great battle of Gettysburg. The 2nd Virginia in this fight was on the extreme left and did not take a very serious part in the battle, but Company
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"C" lost in wounded, three of the fourteen from the regi- ment, showing that it was doing its full duty. The ever present and vigilant enemy did not allow much time for rest and soon the armies were confronting each other on the Rapidan and the bloody fight at Mine Run took place. Here the regiment lost heavily-in officers and men. At 2nd Manassas, Colonel Botts had been wounded and died, leaving no field officer. These places had been filled by promoting Captain Nadenbousch, of Martinsburg, to Colonel; Captain Colston, of Berkeley, to Lieutenant Col- onel and Captain Stuart, of Harper's Ferry, to Major. At Mine Run, Colonel Nadenbousch was disabled and never again took command. Colonel Colston was mor- tally wounded and subsequently died, leaving Major Stuart in command.
CHAPTER XXIV
T HE winter of 1864 was spent in quarters on the Rapidan watching the enemy. The death of Colonel Colston and the retirement of Colonel Nadenbousch made it necessary that one of the Captains should be promoted. Early in the spring of 1864, Cap- tain Wm. W. Randolph was promoted to the Lieutenant Colonelcy of the regiment over the head of Major Stuart. Major Stuart, while a gallant soldier, lacked some of the qualifications for so important a command and it was thought best by those in authority to promote Captain Randolph. The selection was a good one. No braver, cooler, or more thoughtful man for the comfort and wel- fare of his men could have been chosen. Colonel Randolph took command on the 3rd of May, 1864. On the 4th the army moved out to meet the enemy under General Grant, the new commander of the Army of the Potomac. To il- lustrate Colonel Randolph's care and thoughtfulness for his men, I will relate an incident of that day's march. On going into bivouac in the evening after a hard march, the Colonel found that the Quartermaster had left the wagons containing the cooking utensils of the men sev- eral hundred yards away. He sent for the Quartermaster and ordered him to bring the wagons right up to the line of the regiment, saying "that his men had marched all day and should not be required to go such a distance for the utensils and that he never wanted that to occur again." You may be sure, that this thing, small in itself, made an
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